Shea’s hands shook as he gave her his back and continued walking.
“I’d planned to kill you, you know?” He gave her a casual look over his shoulder. Shea almost tripped before righting herself. “I thought you’d done something to him, somehow. Something to make him forget his ambition.”
“What changed your mind?” Shea’s voice was thin.
He tilted his head thoughtfully. Before he could speak, the clip-clop of several horse’s hooves reached them.
Braden stiffened and doused the light from his torch. It was all the distraction Shea needed. She darted into the shadows and away from Braden. Rushing headlong into the darkness, praying she didn’t trip.
There was a muffled shout behind her, but no sound of pursuit.
She slowed to a quick walk, fearing if she continued running she’d kill herself faster than any enemy ever could.
Alone, darkness pressing in on her, she looked around in the pale light. She hadn’t noticed it before, but the stones glowed ever so slightly when there was no other light around. As her eyes adjusted, the green blue glow became more pronounced. She lifted her hand to touch a stone wall next to her.
“Bioluminescence.”
In nature, there was evidence of some animals—mostly bugs and microscopic organisms—that glowed in the dark. She’d heard tales of entire lakes that took on an otherworldly glow on the darkest of nights, but only during certain periods of the year. She had never been lucky enough to see such an event herself.
Her fingers came away with a slight glow. If she had to guess, she’d say there was some type of algae or plant growing on the stone of the city. The light from the torches must have made it impossible to see. No light, and suddenly she could see each building, softly glowing before her.
It was a breathtaking, utterly unique experience.
She wished Fallon was here to see it, but perhaps he was noticing something similar right now wherever he was.
The clip-clop of horse’s hooves reached her. The rider had been partially responsible for helping her escape Braden. She’d have to give them her thanks later.
Right now, she had to decide if she wanted to call this person’s attention to her. She was still in the same situation as before. Alone, lightly armed, and with the knowledge that no one was supposed to have left the camp.
The glow of the city beside her dimmed as the rider drew near, a torch in hand. Shea stepped back into the shadows, hoping to get a glimpse of the person. Perhaps that would help her make a decision.
She didn’t have long to wait as a trio of riders came into view. The first two men tugged at her memory, but she still couldn’t place them. The last one, however, had her stepping out of her darkened corner.
“Charles.”
He, at least, she recognized. He was probably out here looking for Clark. While still against orders, it was understandable he wouldn’t want to abandon his friend. The men with him were regular attendees of the beast class.
The men looked around, their eyes searching in the dim light. Shea walked closer to them, her movement calling their attention.
Charles eyes widened in surprise. “Telroi, what are you doing out of camp?”
Shea gave him a sheepish grin. “Would you believe I got lost?”
The three men gave each other a long look.
“It would be very difficult to believe that,” Charles said. His two friends steered their horses in a wide circle to either side of Shea, until the three stood one in front and two on either side.
Shea watched them carefully. Perhaps Braden had her paranoid, but the actions struck her as vaguely threatening.
“What are you and your friends doing out here?” Shea asked, looking around. “I thought Caden ordered no one to leave camp.”
She knew he had, because she was the one to give the order.
Charles tilted his head, the look in his eyes flat even as he regarded her with little expression.
Now that she thought about it, Charles had always been Clark’s friend. Not hers.
“Yes, he did, didn’t he?” Charles said, unsheathing his sword from where it was strapped to his saddle. Shea took a careful step backward, her eyes checking on the two other men. “I suppose lying at this late stage would just be a waste of energy. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
“Not now that you’ve drawn that sword,” Shea told him.
A grin flashed across his face and then was gone, leaving his expression as dead and lifeless as before.
She didn’t bother asking him what he was doing. That much was obvious. He and these men planned to kill her. Braden was seeming more like the better bet.
“You’re the one responsible for the assassination attempt during the tournament,” Shea said.
“Took you long enough. You really are dumb, even for a throwaway.”
Right now, she didn’t disagree with him. She’d called his attention to her, knowing no one was supposed to be out of the camp, because she thought he was a friend. More evidence that her people skills were no better, even after all these months.
“You never even suspected I was anything other than a friend,” he said. He seemed very like a stranger in that moment. Not the kind person willing to help scouts learn a beast’s habits. “I must admit to some anxiety after the first attempt on your life failed, but then you just kept coming back and even recommended me for more responsibility.”
Shea kept a cautious eye on the other two. They watched her with small smirks.
“I do have to thank you for this opportunity though,” Charles said, drawing her attention. “I had hoped to kill you. The Warlord will be just a bonus.”
Shea didn’t bother to keep the contempt off her face. “As if you could.”
“You were right; he isn’t dead,” Charles said in a soft voice. Shea felt her heart lurch. “One of my men spotted him earlier. I’ll be sure to send him to you shortly.”
Charles struck out with his blade, a clean, crisp movement that was startling in its speed. Shea barely jumped away, a thin slice of pain opening on her shoulder. The wound wasn’t deep. Given the lack of concern as Charles watched Shea retreat until her back was against the wall, he had little worry that she would escape this encounter alive. He was toying with her.
Desperation and panic fought for space in her head. She struggled to remember what Trenton had taught her, what he had drilled into her time and again during training.
Her opponent had both an extended reach with his sword, and a horse that could trample her to death. She was also outnumbered.
One hand slipped behind her to withdraw the short dagger she kept on her at all times. She’d prefer a sword, but she hadn’t thought to bring hers when she slipped out of camp. When Trenton found out, he would skin her.
She held it close to her side.
“She’s armed,” the man on her right said. “End this, so we can move on.”